Improvement in knife-and-fork rests



L.J.CHERRINGTONS Improved Knife 8: Fork Rest.

BOSTON MASS.

PATmTEn J UL 1 1 1871 oimzwz pg M WU-M55558 x mvmif;

PATENT QFFIGE.

LE ROY JONES CHERRINGTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNlFE-AND-FORK RESTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,807, dated July 11, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LE Roy JoNns CHER- RINGTON, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the arrangement of a Knife-and-Fork Rest, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in the arrangement of a plate or base, made of metal or other suitable material, in combination with a projected rest or receptacle of proper shape for a ca wing or table-knife or fork, thereby forming a convenient depository for the same while not in use.

Figure I is a perspective view. Fig. II is a vertical longitudinal section. Fig. III is a vertical transverse section through the rest B. Fig. 1V is a vertical transverse section through the rest 0 (J.

In the drawing, A represents the plate or base. B represents the fork-rest, and C O the knife-rest; D D, the protection for the knife-edge. The knife and fork are designated by their respective initials.

In the drawing, Figs. I and IV, the space between the sides of the projected rest 0 C is designed fora receptacle for the knife, the knife being supported and retained in the desired position by and between the sides of the rest. The rest B is formed with a hollow at its outer end, designed for a receptacle for the fork, and to support and retain it (the fork) in the desired position. The rest B also furnishes additional support for the knife, and retains the point of the blade in the desired position. The rests B and O O are connected by the base or plate A, which, when made of suitable width, serves to catch and retain any gravy or other substance which may flow or drop from the knife or fork. A bar might be used to connect the said rests, but it would not serve so favorably as a broad or dishing-plate.

The advantages of the arrangement of a knifeand-fork rest, substantially as shown, are, that it holds the knife and fork in an elevated position, so that any gravy or other substance which may adhere to the knife or fork after being used is kept from soiling the table-clotl1,wl1ile the plate A serves to catch and retain such gravy or other substance asmight otherwise drop upon the table. Also, the position of the knife and fork, when deposited upon the rest, is such that whatever of liquid nature which may adhere to the knife or fork is prevented from flowing toward the handle. A further advantage of convenience and compactness is also obtained by the relative position of the knife and fork, all of which foregoing advantages are obtained over the ordinary knife-and-tork rests in common use. In case the rest is made of such materials as would be liable to injure the cutting-edge of the knife by being in contact therewith, I provide a softer material at the place of contact with said edge, as shown at D 1), for the purpose of protecting the edge of the blade from such injury.

The rest, when completed, as an article of table use and ornament, is susceptible of being wrought into numerous designs; therefore I do not confine myself to any particular design, provided the rest or receptacle for knife or fork is of proper shape to operate substantially as shown.

I claim- The construction and arrangement of the several parts, namely, the base A, the rests B and O C, and the protection D D, in a manner substantially as an d for the purpose or purposes hereinbefore set forth.

LE ROY J. CHERRINGTON.

Witnesses AI GILMAN, W. F. HANSON. 

